It was a day at the ACES yesterday (Sunday) for the City under 15s and under 13s. The 'ACES' is a national tournament where the 'best play the best'. County League and Cup winners are invited to the tournament where they take on teams from all over the UK and this year, even Germany was represented too........having recently exited the World Cup perhaps they were looking elsewhere for success!

Just to get to the event is a major achievement, so all teams are to be congratulated. The under 15s had mixed fortunes, but still put in some great displays. It was extremely hot just watching the girls play, so you can imagine the pain barrier that they were having to go through on the pitch. Drawn into an extremely strong group, the older girls were unfortunate not to be able to progress through to the quarter finals, but it wasn't through lack of effort or ability. The most important thing is that they gave their all and they were a real credit to the club. Maybe next year!

The under 15s battle the heat at the ACES

So now onto the under 13s - Newly crowned National Champions!

There can't be too many people associated with girls football who haven't heard of the continuing success story of the Cambridge City Girls Under 13s team. There's rarely a week goes by where they don't add to their achievements. Under the expert guidance of manager Sheridan Henry and assistant Danny Want, it appears that nothing fazes these youngsters. A fabulous team spirit no doubt helps, but you can't keep winning unless you have the talent within the squad too and that ingredient they most certainly have! Like you would imagine, the girls arrived at the ACES tournament full of confidence.

The happy management team!

At the opening ceremony, City were drawn in a group that also included Coventry, Barnsley, Norwich and Telford. Strong performances ensured that City progressed from the group stages and their reward was a quarter final tie against Nottingham. The local midlands team were unable to match the pace and technical ability of City, which resulted in the Lilywhites making it through to the semi-final, thanks to a comfortable 4 - 0 victory. The semi-final encounter with Rotherham (who coincidentally City will face again next week at St Georges Park in another national completion) also went City's way with a 2 - 0 scoreline.

This set up a final against Norwich, who had actually inflicted a surprising one nil defeat on City in the group stages. However, the girls were obviously fired up for the decider, and quickly imposed a high tempo, passing game on the Norfolk team. There was to be no repeat of the earlier rare defeat. City played most of the final in the opposition's half and with the exception of a couple of attempts on the City goal, which were admirably dealt with by keeper Grace Joslin, most of the action saw Norwich having to defend. Much to the delight of the travelling Cambridge contingent, a brace from Rosie Mead wrapped up another memorable victory, a victory which confirms that this talented young team really does deserve the title 'best of the best'. Congratulations girls from all at City

The final team talk that plotted the victory

Job done - National Champions! Europe next?

Under 11s

The under 11s made the short trip into Suffolk on Sunday to play in the Haverhill Girls Summer Tournament. A 2-0 victory against the host team in the final meant that the Cup made its way across the county border, back into Cambridgeshire. Well done girls.

City beat the hosts in the final to win the tournament

Under 10s

It certainly is tournament time! On Saturday, the under 10s headed south and took part in the Royston Town Youth Girls Tournament. Even though City fielded a number of under 9 players, they still performed brilliantly against some very strong opposition. Having made it through to the final, they faced Bedwell Red Dragons who were clearly a much bigger and more physical side than City. However, such obstacles did not deter the young Lilywhites who used their ability to run out 4 - 0 winners. A fantastic finale to an exciting and well organised tournament. A great achievement girls - well done!